First Look: Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, And Cameron Diaz Rock Out In ‘Annie’
Sony may have movedAnnieinto the present day, but a first-look image reveals they haven’t gotten rid of the sunny charm that’s kept her so beloved all these years.
The picture showsQuvenzhané Wallis,Jamie Foxx,Cameron Diaz, andRose Byrneperforming the classic tune “Tomorrow” in the streets of New York City. Everyone looks like they’re having a blast, perhaps because it’s tough not to when they’re surrounded by balloons and trailed by an entire marching band. Check it out after the jump.
Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis and Rose Byrne filming “Annie” remake in NYC.#TheSunWillComeOutTomorrowpic.twitter.com/XDSe533uGJ
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater)July 18, 2025
As previously reported, Wallis leads the cast as the plucky orphan, while Foxx plays an updated version of Daddy Warbucks named Benjamin Stacks (ha ha, get it?). Diaz seems to channel herBad Teachercharacter as nasty, boozy Miss Hannigan, and Byrne plays Benjamin’s devoted assistant Grace.
Also in the cast areBobby Cannavale, who plays Benjamin’s political adviser, andAdewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who portrays Benjamin’s bodyguard and driver Nash.Will Gluckis directing from a script he rewrote;Emma ThompsonandAline Brosh McKennacontributed previous drafts.
If anyone’s earned a modern makeover, it’s Little Orphan Annie. The character has been a pop culture since 1924, whenHarold Grayfirst introduced her in a comic strip, and has been adapted into a Broadway show and multiple feature films. The last of these was the 1999 made-for-TV movie, which was directed by Rob Marshall and starred Kathy Bates and Victor Garber.
The new remake got going a few years ago whenWill SmithandJay-Zstarted developing it as a starring vehicle for Smith’s daughter Willow Smith. However, sheaged outof the role while the project was in the development process, and Wallis wasbrought on boardearlier this year to take her place. Smith and Jay-Z remain on board as producers.
